SW Houston News

May 22, 2024 -- The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) is calling for Houston’s best ideas to endorse for the national Our Town grant program. Led by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Our Town grant seeks projects that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts to strengthen communities. Successful projects have advanced local economic, physical, and social outcomes in communities and are laying the groundwork for systemic changes.

Projects require a partnership between a non-profit organization and a local government entity, with one of the partners being a cultural organization. Matching grants range from $25,000 to $100,000, with a minimum cost share/match equal to the grant amount.

“Art is not only an economic driver in our city, but it is also an important part of creating a safe and resilient Houston,” said Necole S. Irvin, MOCA Director. “We seek to endorse the best ideas from the city’s creative sector that will continue to advance the vitality of neighborhoods including their rich cultures.”

The Our Town grant supports creative placemaking projects that help transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. Projects can include artists' residencies, arts festivals, community co-creation of art, performances, public art installations, cultural planning initiatives like district planning or creative asset mapping, artist/designer-facilitated community planning sessions; design work on artist spaces or cultural facilities; public space designs; creative business development strategies; and professional artist development programs.

The National Endowment for the Arts limits the number of Our Town grant applications per city and requires a letter of endorsement from the Mayor. Applications that respond to the City’s Resilience Plan or public safety initiatives will be most competitive for an endorsement.

To be considered for endorsement, applicants should submit their concepts with confirmed artists and partners no later than June 20, 2024 to Cultural.Affairs@houstontx.gov. Concepts should include proposed budget size and location of placemaking efforts along with alignment with city goals if applicable.

Applicants should consult the Our Town grant program website which offers guidance and resources including case studies on successful projects: www.arts.gov/grants-organizations/our-town/introduction. Successful applicants will receive an endorsement letter required for final submission to the National Endowment for the Arts by August 1.

For more information about Houston's cultural programs visit www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs or follow MOCA on Facebook and Instagram @HoustonMOCA.

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